Apparatus for opening and closing a door in the duct work of an air conditioned transportation vehicle

ABSTRACT

In an air conditioned transportation vehicle such as a railroad car, a door is provided in the duct work carrying return air to the air conditioning unit. Actuating means to open and close the door are provided adjacent the air conditioning unit which cover a point of reference on or near the air conditioning unit such as a thermometer and/or thermostat when the door is closed and exposes the reference point when the door is open. Thus it will be easy for an operator to determine that the door is properly closed when the air conditioning unit is not being used and insure that lading will not follow the duct work into the air conditioning unit when the unit is off and the lading is usually smaller and more readily blown, and is filled to a greater height in the vehicle, near the duct work. Locking means may be provided to insure that the door will remain in the open or closed position, as desired, during transit and/or storage.

United States Patent [1 1 Coyle et a1.

[ APPARATUS FOR OPENING AND CLOSHNG A DOOR IN THE DUCT WORK OF AN AIR CONDITIONED TRANSIPURTATHUN VEHICLE [75] lnventors: Edward L. Coyie, St. Charles;

Howard L. Morph, St. Louis, both [73] Assignee: ACF Industries, incorporated, New

York, NY.

22 Filed: Aug. 30, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 285,105

[52] US. Cl 652/408, 62/186, 62/265,

[ Feb. 12, 1974 2,682,757 7/1954 Borgerd 62/408 2,770,955 11/1956 Landstrum... 62/267 3,453,839 7/1969 Sabin 62/265 Primary Examiner-William J. Wye

[ 5 7] ABSTRACT In an air conditioned transportation vehicle such as a railroad car, a door is provided in the duct work carrying return air to the air conditioning unit. Actuating means to open and close the door are provided adjacent the air conditioning unit which cover a point of reference on or near the air conditioning unit such as a thermometer and/or thermostat when the door is closed and exposes the reference point when the door is open. Thus it will be easy for an operator to determine that the door is properly closed when the air conditioning unit is not being used and insure that lading will not follow the duct work into the air conditioning unit when the unit is off and the lading is usually smaller and more readily blown, and is filled to a greater height in the vehicle, near the duct work. Locking means may be provided to insure that the door will remain in the open or closed position, as desired, during transit and/or storage.

. liCiaims, 9 Drawing Figures mes-L168 PATENTED FEB 121974 SHEET 2 0F 2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the U. S. Pat. No. 3,486,241 a control system for aerating lading, particularly perishable bulk quantities, is disclosed wherein a predetermined temperature and humidity are maintained in the lading during transit. Air passes through the lading for aerating the separate components of the lading. An air conduit between each bottom outlet structure and an air supply permits the flow of air therebetween, and a second conduit between the upper portions of the hoppers and the air supply means permit the flow of air therebetween to provide a continuous recirculation air system.

As is described in detail in the patent, the air conditioning system is mounted on either or both of the end 1 portions of the car. According to one embodiment, air passes along passageways adjacent the side sills on each side of the car, then is introduced in the bottom hopper of the car and is then circulated through the lading. The air returns through upper passageways on each side of the car adjacent the upper portion of the hoppers or along the underside of the roof in the space above the lading.

In normal usage the car is loaded with a commodity which requires temperature control, the dieselgenerator electrical power supply is started, the operator sets the thermostatat the desired temperature setting. In route the car is normally checked periodically by personnel comparing the desired shipping temperature written on the Bill of Lading with the thermomveter indication and the thermostat setting.

When the air conditioning unit is on there is no problem with the lading returning and getting into the air conditioning unit because such Iadings are usually handled carefully and when loaded into the hatch form a natural angle of repose which slopes them down and away from the roof as shown at L1 in FIG. 3 of the present application, and the'area where-they can enter the upper return air chamber. Also heavy lading such as oranges, potatoes, grapefruit, etc., are usually being transported which are too heavy to be carried with the air back to the air conditioning unit.

Ladings not requiring temperature control are generally more hardy and they can be blown, thrown or droppedfar enough to more completely fill the area under the roof away from the hatch as shown at L2 in FIG. 2 of the present application. With small, light ladings, such as grain, air conditioning of the lading is not required. Thus, when the unit is off, it is possible for such small, light lading to pile up at one end of the hoppet from the car, fo r example, after the car has been hit, and enter the air return ducts and pass down into the air conditioning unit and harm the same.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION chamber which is open when the air conditioning unit is operating, and closed when the unit is off.

It is another object of the present invention to provide means which clearly indicate whether the door in the return duct is open or closed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a door opening means which inhibits an operators view of the temperature control equipment to insure that the door is opened for Iadings requiring controlled temperature.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description and drawings.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an end view of a railroad car having the door control features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial side elevational view along the line 2-2 in FIG. I with the door in the closed position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with the door in the open position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the thermometer, and locking means shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the door operating means according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view along line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the door operating means according to the present invention along the line 7-7 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevation of the door according to the present invention; and

FIG. is a view along the line 9-9 in FIG. 8.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In an air conditioned transportation vehicle such as a railroad car, a door is provided in the duct work carrying return air to the air conditioning unit. Actuating means to open and close the door are provided adjacent the air conditioning unit which cover a point of reference on or near the air conditioning unit such as a thermometer and/or thermostat when the door is closed, and exposes the reference point when the door is open. Thus it will be easy for an operator to determine that the door is properly closed when the air conditioning unit is not being used and insure that lading will not follow the duct work into the air conditioning unit when the unit is off and the lading is usually smaller and more readily blown, and is filled to a greater height in the vehicle, near the duct work. Locking means may be provided to insure that the door will remain in the open or closed position, as desired, during transit and/or storage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, a railroad car 10 is illustrated having an air conditioning unit 20 mounted thereon. The air conditioning unit20 is of the same type as described in U. S. Pat. No. 3,486,241 which is hereby incorporatedinto the present disclosure by reference in accordance with Section 608.0l(p) of the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure, Third Ed. Revision 29, dated July 1971. The evaporator E, compressor Cl, condenser C2, Receiver R and valve V, shown in FIG. 10 of US. Pat. No. 3,486,241 and described in column 5, are all located within air conditioning unit 20. Since the operation of the air conditioning unit is as described in the US. Pat. No. 3,486,241, it will not be repeated here. The air conditioning unit has a return inlet 21 mounted thereon with appropriate fasteners. The inlet 21 has a return duct mounted thereon 23. The return duct comprises a lower portion 24 and an upper portion 25. Portion 25 comprises a vertical plate 27, a horizontal plate 26 and a second vertical plate 28 having an opening therein 29 (FIG. 8). As described in the said U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,241, a blower may be mounted within the return chamber 23 and, if desired, the same may be reversible as shown in FIG. 13 in said patent.

As was described in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,241, according to one embodiment air which has been cooled and dehumidified by means of the air conditioner unit is passed through side sill conduits 16 on each side of the car to the discharge hoppers, up through the lading and then through upper return conduits 14 as described in columns 4 and and shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,241. From conduits 14, the air passes by means of openings 94 to chamber 99 and then down through evaporator 100. If desired, instead of using passageways 14, the-air may be passed through the upper portions of the hoppers H, as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 3 of the present application.

A thermometer T1, is mounted upon the air conditioning unit as shown in FIGS. 2-4. A thermostat T2 is used to control the temperature of the circulating air.

According to the present invention, a door assembly 30 is mounted within the conduit 23, preferably in the 'upper portion thereof.

Door assembly comprises a plate 32 pivotally mounted about a pivot point 34 (FIG. 8). A stiffener 36 is mounted upon plate 34 with appropriate fasteners. Mounted on plate 28 is an elastomeric seal 38 having an oval portion 39 for sealing door assembly 30 in the closed position. Preferably the seal is air-tight so that no lading can pass therethrough and damage the air conditioner.

The apparatus further comprises a door actuating means 40. As shown in FIGS. 25 the door actuating means comprises a handle 41 which may have mounted thereon a gripper 42. Also mounted upon the handle 41 is a means for covering the thermometer Tl and/or thermostat T2 or other convenient reference point. This may comprise, for example, a plate 43. Handle 41 is journalled about the pin 45 and has an extension or link 44 which is integral with handle 41.

Extension 44 engages a portion of cable transmission means 60, particularly an internal cable thereof 61, as shown best in FIG. 7. A fixed external housing 62 is also provided as part ofthe cable transmission means. The cable transmission means is mounted upon a suitable bracket 63 with appropriate fasteners 64. As shown in FIG. 8, the cable transmission means is also mounted upon a fixed support member 65 within housing 25 with appropriate fasteners 66 adjacent door assembly 30. Cable 60 is, of course, flexible and internal member 61 moves within external member 62. Fixed member 62 terminates at support 65 and movable portion 61 is then utilized to move door 30 into the open position as shown dotted in FIG. 8. If desired, as shown in FIG. 9 movable cable assembly 61 may be mounted upon yoke 67 with a'pin 68 which is attached with appropriate fasteners to stiffeners 36. Thus, if it is desired to move door 30 from the closed position shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 to the open position shown in FIG. 3, handle 41 is rotated about pin 45 which drives link 44 and movable cable portion 61 to the left in FIG. 7 and door 30 to the open position shown in FIG. 8.

If desired, a suitable locking means 50 may also be provided. Locking means 50 may comprise locking members 51 and 71 (FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 5, locking means 50 pivot about a pivot pin 52. A T-bolt assemby 54 includes a shaft 55 having mounted thereon a lever 56 and shaft support member 57. Locking means 50 is mounted upon a support 72 which in turn is mounted on a plate 58. Plate 58 has a locking plate 59 mounted thereon having an opening therein 59a. As shown in FIG. 7, the locking arm 51 prevents movement of actuator extension 44' in the closed position from moving to the left in FIG. 7. If it is desired to move the door 30 to open position, T-bolt lever 56 is rotated to the upright position and then T-bolt assembly 54 is moved out of engagement with locking plate 59 by means of shaft 55. Then locking means 50 may be moved to the upright position shown in FIG. 5. Moving lever 41 counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 7 will move inner cable member 61 to the left and activating movable member 61 of cable 60 will result in movement of door 30 to the open position as shown dotted in FIG. 8. Locking means 50 is then moved again to the lower position shown in FIGS in which shaft 55 moves into the opening in plate 59 and lever 56 is moved into the lowered position. Locking member 71 will prevent movement of extension 44 from left to right as shown in FIG. 7.

It will thus be apparent that when the door assembly is in the open position the thermometer T1 and/or thermostat T2 or other reference point is visible and the door is in proper position for operation of the air conditioning unit. In contrast, when the door assembly is in the closed position, the reference point is covered and the air conditioning unit is being protected against lading getting into the unit.

If desired, known electric circuitry could be utilized to automatically open door 30 if closed when the unit is turned on, and close it when the unit is turned off. This could be done, for example, by appropriate solenoid valves which could move movable cable 61 member back and forth to open and close the door. Locking means 50 would either be dispensed with or left in the upright position and used only in the event of manual opening and closing of the door.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for use in an air conditioned transportation vehicle comprising:

at least one air conditioning unit mounted on the vehicle;

duct-work mounted on the vehicle for carrying return air to the air conditioning unit;

a door assembly mounted within said duct-work, in the open position allowing return air to the air conditioning unit and in the closed position preventing return air from reaching the unit;

means located adjacent the air conditioning unit for actuating the door assembly respectively into the open position when the unit is operating, and into the closed position when the unit is off; cable means connecting the door actuating means with the door assembly;

the means actuating the door assembly comprising a member which covers a portion of the air conditioning unit when the door is in the closed position and exposes a portion of the air conditioning unit when the door is in the open position;

and locking means locking the door actuating means when the door is in the closed position.

2. Apparatus for use in an air conditioned railroad car comprising:

at least one air conditioning unit mounted on the car;

duct work mounted upon the car above the air conditioning unit for carrying return air to the air conditioning unit;

a door assembly mounted within said duct work, in the open position allowing return air to reach the air conditioning unit and in the closed position preventing return air from reaching the unit;

means located adjacent the air conditioning unit for actuating the door assembly respectively into the open position when the unit is operating, and into the closed position when the unit is off;

said means actuating the door assembly comprising a member which covers a portion of the air conditioning unit when the door is in the closed position and exposes a portion of the air conditioning unit when the door is in the open position;

cable means connecting the door actuating means with the door assembly;

and locking means to lock the door actuating means when the door is in the closed position.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein locking means are provided to lock the door assembly in the open position.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the locking means comprises a first member which prevents the actuating means from moving the door from the closed position and a second locking member which prevents the door from moving from the open position.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the door assembly comprises an air tight seal.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the locking means comprises means for maintaining the locking means in engagement with a portion of the door actuating means.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the means maintaining the locking means in engagement with a portion of the door actuating means comprises a T-bolt assembly.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a thermometer is mounted upon the air conditioning unit and a member mounted upon the actuating means covers the thermometer to indicate that the door is in the closed position, and wherein-the thennometer is viewable from the side of the car when the door is in the open position.

9. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the door actuating means comprises a handle connected by a link to said cable means.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said cable means comprises a fixed external member and a movable internal member.

.11. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the locking means comprises a first member which prevents the actuating means from moving the door from the closed position and a second locking member which prevents the door from moving from the open position. 

1. Apparatus for use in an air conditioned transportation vehicle comprising: at least one air conditioning unit mounted on the vehicle; duct-work mounted on the vehicle for carrying return air to the air conditioning unit; a door assembly mounted within said duct-work, in the open position allowing return air to the air conditioning unit and in the closed position preventing return air from reaching the unit; means located adjacent the air conditioning unit for actuating the door assembly respectively into the open position when the unit is operating, and into the closed position when the unit is off; cable means connecting the door actuating means with the door assembly; the means actuating the door assembly comprising a member which covers a portion of the air conditioning unit when the door is in the closed position and exposes a portion of the air conditioning unit when the door is in the open position; and locking means locking the door actuating means when the door is in the closed position.
 2. Apparatus for use in an air conditioned railroad car comprising: at least one air conditioning unit mounted on the car; duct work mounted upon the car above the air conditioning unit for carrying return air to the air conditioning unit; a door assembly mounted within said duct work, in the open position allowing return air to reach the air conditioning unit and in the closed position preventing return air from reaching the unit; means located adjacent the air conditioning unit for actuating the door assembly respectively into the open position when the unit is operating, and into the closed position when the unit is off; said means actuating the door assembly comprising a member which covers a portion of the air conditioning unit when the door is in the closed position and exposes a portion of the air conditioning unit when the door is in the open position; cable means connecting the door actuating means with the door assembly; and locking means to lock the door actuating meaNs when the door is in the closed position.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein locking means are provided to lock the door assembly in the open position.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the locking means comprises a first member which prevents the actuating means from moving the door from the closed position and a second locking member which prevents the door from moving from the open position.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the door assembly comprises an air tight seal.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the locking means comprises means for maintaining the locking means in engagement with a portion of the door actuating means.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the means maintaining the locking means in engagement with a portion of the door actuating means comprises a T-bolt assembly.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a thermometer is mounted upon the air conditioning unit and a member mounted upon the actuating means covers the thermometer to indicate that the door is in the closed position, and wherein the thermometer is viewable from the side of the car when the door is in the open position.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the door actuating means comprises a handle connected by a link to said cable means.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said cable means comprises a fixed external member and a movable internal member.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the locking means comprises a first member which prevents the actuating means from moving the door from the closed position and a second locking member which prevents the door from moving from the open position. 